A ROCK legend's return to Great Yarmouth will bring back memories of happy bucket-and-spade days at the resort.

Former Yes keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman is playing a one-man show at the Britannia Pier next Sunday, May 4.

A ROCK legend's return to Great Yarmouth will bring back memories of happy bucket-and-spade days at the resort.

Former Yes keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman is playing a one-man show at the Britannia Pier next Sunday, May 4.

Rick, who has set up home near Diss, appeared in Yarmouth seven years ago as part of a tour but has visited the town many times and has happy memories of holidays here as a child.

He told the Mercury it was good to be able to play local venues and get home for a cuppa before bed - unlike those wild rocking days of yesteryear.

He said: “I really like Yarmouth, and I have appeared at many venues in East Anglia over the last few years. On this occasion it will be good to come to a local venue and return home on the same night.”

He added: “I'm really looking forward to this show, and it will feature about 85pc new material. It is a one-man show, but I have to say it took 92 people to achieve it!

“There will be the keyboards on stage together with a huge screen, and it'll be showing some old and new footage of the musicians I have worked with. There's also some spoof footage which I think the audience will fund quite amusing.”

Rick blends his own symphonic and progressive rock with the keyboards he plays. Many fans still hold the landmark Gospels double album and the updated Gospels CD among his finest work, and it has been performed in Liverpool Cathedral.

Rick said a national newspaper, reviewing one of his shows last year, described it as “grumpy old man meets music meets Dick Emery meets Little Britain”.

He added: “I did take it as a compliment; I think I was supposed to. Obviously with a one-man show you are somewhat limited as to what you can do, but I don't think the audience would have seen anything like the show they will see on Sunday week.”

He is the only person to have appeared in every one of the BBCs Grumpy Old Men, programmes, springboarding a new career as a raconteur.

Rick's show at the Britannia Pier, part of his 20-date UK tour, starts at 7.30pm. Bookings on 01493 842209.